Sialkot lynching widely condemned

All political and religious leadership and civil society have unanimously condemned the Sialkot lynching incident in which a Sri Lankan national is killed on Friday. They termed this unfortunate incident against the basic teachings of Islam, the religion of peace.

Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar underscores that taking the law into one's own hands on the basis of mere accusation is contrary to Islamic teachings.

“There is no room for violence and extremism in Islam. Scholars and religious leaders should play a positive role in curbing extremism. Sialkot incident is a disgrace to the whole nation. Those who are responsible for this heinous incident will be brought to law at any cost,” he remarked.

“As per the vision of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah,” he highlighted, “the rights of all minorities are protected in Pakistan. The killing of a foreign national and burning his body in Sialkot is very unfortunate. This tragic incident is being condemned by scholars from all schools of thought, but there is a need for all political and religious parties to unite in order to protect the country from terrorism as well as extremism.”

Sarwar lamented that the burning of a foreigner on the pretext of blasphemy was very sad and embarrassing for 220 million Pakistanis.

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar also strongly condemned the ghastly murder of a Sri Lankan citizen in Sialkot by setting his body on fire. The CM said this tragic incident has left every Pakistani in shock. He said justice would be served at all costs. The suspects would be awarded strict punishment according to the law. “Our religion discourages violence and extremism as Islam is a religion of peace and harmony.”

Buzdar also extended heartfelt sympathies and condolences with the bereaved family and Sri Lankan government and said the Punjab government was standing with them in their time of trial.

The government will fulfil all its responsibilities in this regard, said the chief minister. Meanwhile, expressing deep grief over the killing of Sri Lankan national, Punjab Law Minister Basharat Raja said every Pakistani has strongly condemned the senseless killing of a citizen of a friendly country. He said strict legal action would be taken against those responsible for the incident and all possible justice would be provided to the family of the deceased.

Expressing regret over the Sialkot incident, Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Parvez Elahi termed this incident as un-Islamic and inhumane. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Government of Sri Lanka and the family of the victim. The inquiry into the incident should be completed and the culprits should be punished as soon as possible,” he stressed.

He was speaking to Wafaqul Madaris Al-Arabia Secretary General Qari Hanif Jalandhari who called him at his residence on Saturday.

Punjab Minister for Minerals Hafiz Ammar Yasir, Rasikh Elahi, Dr AR Khalid and Dr Rashid Siraj were also present on the occasion.

Punjab Minister for Human Rights Ejaz Alam Augustine said the Sialkot incident disgraced the entire nation, we all need to work together to eradicate the growing culture of intolerance in society.

Addressing an oath-taking ceremony of the Christian Lawyers Association in Pakistan, he said “we all need to end the growing intolerance in society, for which people need education because they need to understand that it is the job of the honourable court to convict anyone.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 5^th, 2021.